With Experience Comes More Responsibility For Texans TE Graham

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HOUSTON (CBS Houston) – Ah yes, it is the battle cry of Texans players and fans throughout the roller coaster/memorable initial playoff season for the franchise. Well if you’ve been paying attention to the offseason, that’s what the Texans face in the upcoming season.

Guys like Joel Dreessen, Eric Winston, Mario Williams, DeMeco Ryans, Mike Brisiel, and other key players from the playoff run are now donning the jerseys of other franchises. So, whether the replacements come from the draft, current depth chart, or free agency. New players will have to fill those shoes on the field.

One of those guys is third year tight end Garrett Graham out of Wisconsin. Graham has played sporadically over his first two seasons, mostly in special teams. But now, he’s being asked to take Dreessen’s spot on the depth chart, as the second tight end.

Matt Schaub is already showering confident words on the former fourth round pick.

“Just watching him for two years, what he can do and his skill set, I think it suits what we do as an offense really well,” Schaub said about Graham. “I’m very comfortable working with him and throwing to him.”

Owen Daniels backed up Schaub in praise and confidence of the job they fell Graham can do in this offense.

“I think he’s more of an athletic guy than people think,” Daniels said of Graham. “He’s got better wheels than people think and he’s a really, really tough kid.”

Now, some people might say that Daniels is sticking up for the fellow Wisconsin alum and you would be right!

“I’m biased saying he’s tough because he went to Wisconsin, but those type of players come out of there and we’ve got three really good ones on this team right now and Garrett’s no exception.”

When Graham spoke on Monday, he was quick to thank the veteran players who shared their confidence in his ability.

“It means a lot, and I’m just going to try and go out there and earn the respect of the rest of my team and just try and do my best,” Graham said.

Now more than anything, the potential third year tight end is just ready to seize the opportunity left behind by Dreessen. “Joel did a lot for our team. He’s a great tight end, so I’m expecting to work my hardest and contribute and show what I can do in camp.”

Tomorrow, we’ll take a look at what the Texans are counting on with linebackers, secondary, and offensive line.